It is beyond heart-breaking to read of the horrific abusive crimes perpetrated by ‘peace-keepers’ and aid workers on perhaps the most helpless children of all: those in war zones and dire poverty.

For years, US bishops claimed there simply could not be a national Catholic child sex abuse policy because each bishop is largely autonomous. Today, Southern Baptist officials make the same bogus claim about their churches. In both cases, these are poor excuses to leave kids at risk of devastating, life-long harm.

So too is the UN claim that because soldiers come from individual nations, the UN can’t effectively monitor or discipline them. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. It’s just that simple. The United Nations has proven that it can respond well to crises and move heaven and earth when motivated. It must act decisively now to protect the already physically and emotionally wounded Third World kids being victimized again by alleged ‘helpers.’

Save the Children is to be commended for taking the lead on this crucial scandal. But its leaders must, at a bare minimum, disclose the names of the abusive employees they have fired. So too must UN officials and the individual nations whose soldiers abused their power.

When will we ever fully accept the adage that ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely’ and act accordingly?

Authorities – secular and religious, national and international- must stop shifting blame, pointing fingers, and feigning powerlessness. They must put the well-being of children first, in word and deed. They must publicly identify, root out and punish predators and those who shield predators, no matter what the cost.